Man accused of strangling niece while she held toddler at Las Cruces hospice
A man faces felony charges after police say he strangled his niece while she held a toddler during an altercation at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces.
Police say a woman feared she would black out while holding her 2-year-old daughter during an altercation at Mesilla Valley Hospice
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - A man faces felony charges after police say he strangled his niece while she held her 2-year-old daughter during an altercation at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces.
Manuel Lerma, 44, was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and abuse of a child not resulting in death or great bodily harm in connection with the May 11 incident.
According to a statement of probable cause filed in the case, Las Cruces police officers responded to Mesilla Valley Hospice on Montana Avenue at about 6:18 p.m. after receiving a report of a family disturbance.
Police said the alleged victim told investigators she was visiting her grandmother at the hospice facility when Lerma, identified as her uncle, became upset because the child was “running around and being loud.”
According to court records, the woman told police Lerma demanded she get the child under control before an argument escalated between the two and another family member.
Investigators allege the woman attempted to leave the room while carrying her daughter when Lerma grabbed her by the neck and pinned her against a wall.
The woman reportedly told police she could not breathe, felt like she was going to black out and feared dropping her daughter during the altercation.
According to the probable cause statement, the woman said Lerma held her against the wall for about 30 seconds while she struggled to breathe.
Police said the child was facing outward in the woman’s arms during the incident. Investigators allege the woman feared the child could be injured while she was being strangled.
A witness who was standing near the hospice nurse’s station reportedly told investigators she heard arguing before seeing Lerma push the woman against a wall while she held the child.
The witness allegedly told police she saw Lerma’s hand wrapped around the woman’s neck and observed the woman struggling to breathe while pinned against the wall.
According to court records, the witness said the woman began coughing and physically shaking after Lerma released her.
A public safety assessment later recommended release on recognizance despite the felony charges.
According to court records, Lerma was later released on recognizance with conditions that included avoiding contact with the alleged victim, remaining under pretrial supervision and staying away from the location of the alleged incident.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
Keep Reading
Las Cruces woman accused of stabbing father during argument over moving boxes, finances — Police say a 71-year-old man suffered serious injuries during a late-night domestic dispute on Sentinel Avenue.
AG charges Las Cruces ‘imposter nurse’ accused of endangering patients, using stolen identities — Prosecutors allege a woman worked at multiple healthcare facilities without a license and nearly administered a fatal insulin dose.
Gregg Hull says Rio Rancho experience prepared him for governor’s race — The Republican candidate pointed to economic growth and public safety during a town hall with the Albuquerque Journal.
